Program helps raise money for summer camps

Newton’s chapter of a national organization has been raising funds this fall for what it hopes will be another year of summer smiles.

The National TTT Society is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization of women with local chapters across the U.S., focused on one project: to provide an educational camping experience for underprivileged girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity. It’s based in Mount Pleasant and functions through volunteer women who coordinate sales, shows, golf tournaments, quilt auctions and other fundraisers.

Newton has two chapters, named with letters that indicate the age of the organization. The K and EN chapters, which combined about 10 years ago, make up the “K-EN” chapter, while Chapter CV, formed in 1957, also serves girls in the Newton area.

For an age comparison, the long-ago established Letts, Iowa chapter goes by the single letter “T.”

Arlene Dobesh, the outgoing president of Chapter CV, said TTT volunteers talk with nurses at local elementary schools each year to discreetly find out which girls might be good candidates in need of the program. TTT covers the expenses of summer camp, along with a pre-camp shopping trip where volunteers purchase and help pick out clothing and camping supplies and equipment.

Dobesh said while it’s sometimes sad to learn what types of life experiences are missing in the lives of some children, it’s rewarding to help put that kind of experience into the lives of girls in need.

“Within the past couple of years, while shopping for clothes, a girl was asked what sort of shopping she’d done in the past,” Dobesh said. “The girl said she’d never had new clothes purchased for her. She’d only had hand-me-downs, and had never had clothes bought just for her.”

Three Newton-area girls who had just completed the fourth grade — Anastacia Franco and twins Jocelyn Sanders and Kiya Sanders — were able to attend camp this year thanks to the fundraising of Chapter CV. The chapter sends girls to Camp Wyoming, located about halfway between Maquoketa and Anamosa, where archery and many other typical camp activities are made available during their weeklong stay.

The number of girls sent to camp each year varies slightly each year, depending on the chapter’s fundraising success. The TTT program is not affiliated with any church, camp or other organizations.

Chapter CV fundraiser sells an assortment of nuts both plain and chocolate-covered.  We are currently in the middle of our fundraiser project and have nuts available for sale. Chapter K-EN will soon be selling cheese balls as a fundraiser.

The girls and women interact on other occasions besides shopping. The volunteers contact them on their birthdays and at Christmas. Campers are eligible to receive scholarships to help with college education.

Some girls who benefit from the program go on to volunteer with TTT once they are older.

Dobesh said the girls not only form lasting, healthy bonds with peers and staff or volunteers at summer camps, but also express their appreciation to the hometown women who help make their camp experiences possible.

“It’s so precious to hear about their experiences,” Dobesh said. “When we asked one girl about her favorite part of the experience, she said ‘getting to know you ladies.’”

Questions about the TTT organization can be directed to Dobesh at 641-792-7126.

Contact Jason W. Brooks
at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532
or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com